Racecourse Media Group (RMG) has today confirmed the promotion of Roger Lewis as new Chairman, leading governance initiatives for the umbrella organisation representing 37 racecourses.

Lewis the former Head of BBC Radio 1, had previously served RMG as a senior independent non-executive advisor (2012-2018) and is expected to take full Chairman duties from January 2019.

Updating stakeholders, RMG governance backs the appointment of Lewis as Chairman highlighting the executive’s extensive experience, leading public and private institutions, combined with his knowledge of managing government and regulatory relationships and procedures.

Lewis has held Managing Director roles at EMI, Decca, Classic FM and ITV Wales before moving into sport, where he held positions as Group CEO of the Welsh Rugby Union and the Millennium Stadium plc.

He has further served as a governance advisor for the European Rugby Cup, the British and Irish Lions, and the Council of the Six Nations.

Roger Lewis published the following statement on becoming Chairman of RMG:

“The RMG story is a remarkable one and shows what can be achieved via collective enterprise and ownership of content. The racecourse shareholders’ commitment to this business and the work of the executive team at RMG means that the company is forecasting to deliver record media licence fees in 2018, payments which are channelled directly back into racing.

“Over the course of my six years on the Board, it is clear that the professionalism, experience, insight and horseracing passion of the executive team at RMG, supported and challenged by a strong Board, has resulted in the delivery of a high-quality racing product.

“I thank and congratulate Simon Ellen for his leadership and friendship over the past six years and for all that he has done for horseracing.

“The RMG business continues to develop as we welcome the content set from all 26 Irish racecourses in 2019. I look forward to working with the RMG executive team and my fellow RMG Board members in contributing to the company’s future success.”